Travel destinations and car rental providers in Portugal 2023: Set deep in southern Portugal’s sun baked Alentejo province is Évora, one of the country’s most enchanting cities. The Romans established themselves here in 57 BC, but it was under Moorish rule that the town began to take shape, its maze of narrow lanes and alleys typical of Islamic urban design. Christian reconquest saw the construction of the Sé, Évora’s impressive cathedral and one of several stunning visitor attractions in the old town. Consecrated in 1204, this celebrated religious building melds the Romanesque with the Gothic and the Baroque, and after admiring the interior, visitors can nip up to the roof, which offers fantastic views over the vicinity. Nearby is Évora’s most iconic monument, the Roman Temple. Erected in the 2nd or 3rd century AD, this is the most impressive Roman building in the country. In fact, Évora’s historic legacy is such that UNESCO has declared the destination a World Heritage Site. If you are looking for a vehicle to travel between Portugal’s vacation destinations you can find additional information at car rental in Funchal Portugal

When it comes to the natural beauty of Portugal, you can say there is room for leisure and contemplation: striking mountain landscapes, numerous lakes, rivers and waterfalls, lush green mountain meadows – in short, you will find something to see in Portugal. Despite the natural diversity, there is only one protected area in Portugal, the Peneda Jeres National Park. This protected area stretches between the Peneda and Jerez mountain ranges. Peneda Jeres is a mountain reserve with rich flora, waterfalls, rivers, fast streams and villages built of gray granite. As for fauna, in the territories of the park can be found roe deer, Iberian wolf, stunted horses, brown bears, mountain goats, bulls of the barroza breed. The luxuriant vegetation is represented by varieties of oaks, birches, bird cherry, and the only forest of pine trees in Portugal. There are also endemic plants, including some species of ferns and lilies.

Quality travel destinations and car rental services in Portugal: The Alcobaça Monastery is a Roman Catholic Monastery located in the town of Alcobaça, in central Portugal. It was founded by the first Portuguese King, Afonso Henriques, in 1153, and maintained a close association with the Kings of Portugal throughout its history. The church and monastery were the first Gothic buildings in Portugal, and, together with the Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra, it is one of the most important of the medieval monasteries in Portugal.

One of Portugal’s best-loved historic monuments and a Lisbon icon, the Torre de Belém stands as a symbol of the Age of Discovery and the voyages of exploration undertaken in the 15th and 16th centuries. Completed in 1521 as a fortress to defend the approaches to the River Tagus, the tower is regarded as a masterpiece of military architecture. Designed in the Manueline style by Francisco de Arruda, the façade is a confection of beautifully carved stone, typified by maritime motifs, such as twisted rope and the armillary sphere. An impressive Renaissance loggia heightens the decoration. The tower’s cultural significance is such that UNESCO has listed it as a World Heritage Site.

Travel destinations and rent a car providers in Portugal from CarRentalinPortugal.com: Sintra is a suburb of the Portuguese capital and the most important in terms of attractions in Portugal. Not far from Sintra, in the mountains, is the unusual Pena Castle Palace. Its uniqueness is that originally it was based on an empty monastery, which was built here back in the 12th century in honor of Our Lady. Over time, the temple has fallen into disrepair. The unremarkable and neglected chapel, lost in the mountains, was only remembered in the 16th century when King Manuel I, being very religious, turned his attention to the church and the rather large empty land around it. Since then, and reconstruction of the shrine began – he was rebuilt from stone and stood for about 2 centuries until a powerful earthquake known throughout Europe, which turned the monastery into ruins.

Nestling in the lap of a wooded mountain range, Sintra’s stunning location is reason enough to visit this charming, verdant town. Indeed, UNESCO acknowledges the destination as a World Heritage cultural landscape such is its beauty and the significance of the collection of historic visitor attractions clustered in and around the old town, Sintra Velha. A favorite summer retreat for the kings and queens of Portugal and an alluring destination for numerous writers and poets, including Lord Byron and William Beckford, Sintra exudes romance. The old town is a maze of cobbled lanes lined with handsome town houses painted in pastel hues of pink, mustard, and lilac. The narrow streets surround a pretty central square that’s dominated by the wonderful Palácio Nacional de Sintra. Easily recognized by its huge conical chimneys, Sintra’s National Palace dates from the late 14th century and is the oldest surviving palace in Portugal. Regally furnished, the building is set over several floors, many conveying a unique theme and decorated accordingly. A highlight is the magnificent Sala dos Brasões, a glittering domed hall embellished with the coats of arms of 72 noble Portuguese families. Find more information at carrentalinportugal.com.